The Inequity of Language: How English Creates Barriers for Underprivileged Communities in India.
Rameshwar Khairnar
Founder & CEO - Bhasha Samruddhi | IIM Bangalore Launchpad Fellow | Empowering under-resourced students through English fluency| Enabling Student Leadership|
Language is more than just a means of communication; it is a gateway to opportunities. For millions of students in India, English is that gateway. However, for those from underprivileged and under-resourced communities, this very language has become a gatekeeper, limiting their access to education, careers, and social mobility. While fluency in English opens doors for privileged students, many equally talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds are being left behind, not because of their skills or intelligence but simply because of their inability to speak the language fluently.
The Growing Inequality.
India is home to a diverse linguistic landscape, yet English continues to dominate the realms of higher education and professional opportunities. According to a 2013 report by the British Council, only 10% of India’s population speaks English fluently, yet nearly all high-paying jobs in the formal sector require proficiency in the language. This means that students who attend elite English-medium schools, often from privileged backgrounds, have a significant advantage when competing for these opportunities.
In contrast, students from government schools, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, where instruction is often in regional languages, face a steep uphill battle. Despite having the same potential and intelligence as their peers, these students are denied opportunities because they lack access to quality English education from an early age. The inequality is stark: less than 20% of students from disadvantaged backgrounds make it to higher education institutions due to language barriers alone.
Privileged Students vs. Underprivileged Talent
Students from privileged backgrounds not only have access to English-medium education, but also enjoy the added advantages of private tutors, extracurricular programs, and environments that foster fluency in English. By the time these students graduate, they are often articulate, confident, and ready to access global opportunities.
On the other hand, students from underprivileged communities—often attending government or regional-language schools—struggle to keep pace despite having equal potential. These students may have excellent problem-solving skills, creativity, and knowledge, but they miss out on opportunities because they cannot express themselves fluently in English. A report from Oxfam India highlights that 40% of students in rural areas fail to transition to higher education because they are unable to meet the English language requirements.
This creates a vicious cycle: those who are fluent in English gain access to better education, jobs, and social mobility, while those who are not remain stuck in lower-paying jobs or drop out of the education system altogether. The inequity widens with every passing year.
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Why This Matters: English and Access to Opportunity
English proficiency has become a marker of social status and economic mobility. In sectors like IT, finance, healthcare, and even government jobs, English is often the primary language of communication. In fact, according to the India Skills Report 2021, employers rate English proficiency as one of the top three skills required for recruitment, alongside technical skills and communication.
For many students, the lack of English fluency is not just a minor obstacle—it is a complete barrier to success. This is particularly concerning in a country like India, where the majority of students do not have access to quality English education.
The Way Forward
Addressing this inequity requires systemic changes. First, there needs to be a stronger emphasis on teaching English as a skill rather than a subject. Programs like Bhasha Samruddhi org Speaking Seeds are working to bridge this gap by providing students from underprivileged backgrounds with dedicated mentors, a curriculum focused on communication and public speaking, and opportunities to practice their English in real-world settings. This kind of initiative can help level the playing field, ensuring that talent, not language, determines a student’s future.
Furthermore, more than 70% of employers in India state that fluency in English is a key criterion for hiring, according to a study by the National Employability Report. This creates an urgent need for scalable solutions that can provide English training to students from all backgrounds, particularly those who may not have the financial resources to afford private classes or coaching.
Conclusion
The reality is that English has become an essential skill for success in today’s world. But it should not be a barrier that prevents talented students from realizing their full potential. As we continue to advocate for educational equity in India, we must remember that language is a powerful tool—one that should empower, not exclude. Through initiatives like Speaking Seeds, we can work towards a future where every student, regardless of their background, has the chance to succeed.
Let’s break the language barrier and create a world of equal opportunities for all.
At Bhasha Samruddhi, we believe that every student deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. Unfortunately, English proficiency is often a significant barrier for students from under-resourced communities, limiting their access to higher education and career opportunities. In our latest article, we explore how this language gap creates inequity and what we can do to change the narrative.